This is a post that Brian Voss made on the PBA.com message boards. I figured this would be of interest to some of you:
"Bowling is in dire straits. Some don’t heed the signals, but they are quite obvious. It is time for change. Drastic change. In my opinion, the cards are in the hands of the PBA . All other competitive bowling entities would and should follow the rules set forth by the best players in the world. Unfortunately, the best players in the world have NO say in how this game is played. What is represented right now is inadequate. It is failing, and will continue to fail. Having said that, the following is what I would do if it was in my power:
The first thing I would is change the scoring environment. The first step in that is to change the equipment that is used. There has already been much discussion on the negative influence that the new equipment has brought to our sport, so there is no reason to expand on that subject. I would completely alter the specifications for todays balls used in competition. Limiting the specs similar to a Blue Dot is the first choice. The depth of that idea leaves open a lot of discussion as to how to compensate the players for using this equipment. I won’t get into that depth.
The second thing I would do is develop patterns that will be used on a weekly basis. 7 qualifying games would mean 7 patterns. Using only one type of ball would restore creativity, imagination, and integrity into the sport. The process of using only one pattern for an entire week has a lot of open holes in it. The intent of any tournament environment should be to produce the best players, not the ones who “fit†into a certain circumstance.
The third thing I would do is to conduct the Pro-Am the day before the actual tournament. Mandating that professionals remain in the city for as much as two days to bowl a pro-am as we are currently required to do is unprofessional, and does not allow players the luxury of recuperating after the grind of a tournament. It also takes away time from the ability of maintaining a good healthy relationship with family. The tour should not be that desperate to put the importance of a pro-am ahead of the desires and needs of the professional.
And fourth, I would send out a message to all bowling entities that what we are doing is long over due, and is a change needed for the survival of this great sport. The continued decline in USBC membership, the decline in competitive bowling, the decline in global competition, and the decline in our ratings cannot happen.
My tenure on tour is nearing an end. Most of the reasons are because of the inability of our governing bodies to make needed change. Quite frankly, I am sick of it. The decline in prize funds is hollowing to say the least. The recent allowance of walled up lanes, combined with an infinite choice in arsenal, is more distant than ever from what it takes to measure talent. I am not alone. There are others on tour, some prominent players, who have had enough. SAVE OUR SPORT!!!"
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